Bhubaneswar, Oct. 17 -- Australian cricketer Nic Maddinson has opened up about his emotional and physical battle with testicular cancer, a journey that tested his strength both on and off the field. The 33-year-old, who has played three Tests and six T20Is for Australia, discovered a lump earlier this year but initially delayed getting it checked, a decision he now admits could have been life-altering.

It wasn't until a post-season medical review with Cricket Australia's Dr John Orchard that scans revealed a tumour. Surgery followed quickly, but Maddinson's world shifted again when doctors found the cancer had spread to his abdominal lymph nodes and lung, requiring urgent chemotherapy.

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